eastman



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. EASTMAN. CAMERA.

No. 408 59e. Patented Aug. 6,. 1889.

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NA PUERS. PholwLmmgmpher. washington, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE EASTMAN, OF ROCHESTER, NEIV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE EASTMAN DRY PLATE AND FILM COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

CAMERA.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 408,596, dated August 6, 1889.

Application filed January 4, 1889. Serial No.295,48`7. (No model.)

T0 all whom, t may concern:

Bc it known that I, GEORGE EAsTMAN, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cameras; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the iigures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in that class of photographic apparatus known as detective cameras, and it consists in the novel form vof construction and arrangement of the camera-body, the lens support and adjusting device, and the exposing-shutter and operating devices, and in certain details and parts, all as will be hereinafter described, and set forth particularly in the claims at the end of the speciiication.

In the accompanying` drawings, wherein. I have illustrated on e embodiment of my present improvements, Figure l is a view in perspective of the complete instrumentgFig. 2, alongitudinal sectional view of the same; Fig. 3, a detail section on the line g/ y of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a perspective View of the shutter and the frame carrying it; Fig. 5, a view of the parts of the Shutter separated; Figs. 6, 7, and S, views of the shutter, showing the positions occupied by the parts in operation; Fig. 9, a sectional view on the line y y of Fig. 2; Fig. l0, a sectional view of the shutter and support.

. Similar letters of reference in the several igu res denote similar parts.

The letter A designates the camera box or ease, preferably constructed in the form of a rectangular tube, at one end of which is secured an end piece l5, having a perforation b therein. The rear end of the tube or case is adapted to be closed by a roller-holder for carrying sensitive photographic film, (substantially as shown in Letters Patent No. 388,850, granted me September 4f, 1888,) sccured t0 or formed integral with the rear clap plate or cover C', and the sides of said holder upon which the operating derices are supported are formed to lit snugly within the tube A, the cover C overlapping or otherwise co-operatin g with the end of the box A to form a light-tight connection, so that when said roller-holder is inserted and held within the end of the box the sensitized film' or plate will be entirely protected 5 5 from light in rear and at the sides, and will only be exposed to light entering through the perforation h in the end piece and the lens inserted between this and said iilm.

As the specific construction of the rollholder forms no part of my present invention except lin so far as it is adapted to a camera of this class, its construction need not be specifically described. Suffice it to say it embodies a suitable measuring-roller C2, a supply-roller O3, a winding-roller Oi, with which a key C is connected, so that the operator can by rotating` this reel forward a new supply of iilm after making an exposure, the measuring-roll being also provided with a mark or indication on its end adapted to co operate with a markinfthe thimble C, secured to the case, so as to indicate when the proper amount of film for a single exposure has been reeled forward over the iilm- 7- support C7. For amore full description of this roller-holder, which is but one of the many forms that could be devised, reference is made to the above-mentioned patent.

Between the end piece B and the rollerholdcr C is located a fra-me D, carrying the lens and shutter, preferably of rectangular tubular form to slide readily within the case from the rear and of sufficient length to have a bearing on the'inside of the case and prevent tilting, aud two of the sides D D of this frame are provided wit-h slots d d, through which pass screws D2, having milled heads, and entering corresponding nuts D3, secured in the casing, suitable washers D4 being interposed between said heads and the frame, as shown. These screws can be manipulated by suitable tools inserted from the rear, and upon being loosened the frame can be moved in or out to adjust the focus of the lens, and the screws then tightened before the cameras are sent out.

The front of frame D is oi' course provided with a perforation rl to permit the passage of light, and upon this frame is secured the lens and shutter holder E, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This support E is con- IOO structed, preferably, oit.' metal, secured to the front ol' the ijrame l) by means ot. screws l. l., and at one end is provided with a threadetl perforation 2, in which one +L et' the pair ol lenses is secured, as shown, while the other one 3 is secured in a corresponding mannetin an Overhanging porti-on 5 ot' the support, as shown, a slit being left between the snpport and portion 5 At'or the passage ol;l the shutter ti.

My present shutter, while adapted to be applied to the support carrying thc lens in this particular.'instance, though not neetsssarily so, relates te that class constructed of opaque material, adapted to pass transversely of the lens axis, and provided with an apertut'e which in. transit coincides with the lens-openings, permitting the passage ot light to the plate ortilm. Such shutters, however, cannot be applied to cameras in which lilm is employed unless someliglit-intereepting medium interposed between the lens and lilm while the shutter is being moved back to .first position, as otherwise the second coincidence ot the shutter-apcrture and lenssopening would cause a second exposure ot' the lilm, and as this return et the shutter to tirst position is caused by a manual. opert'Ltion it would not answer tor i nstantaneous work. '.lo adapt this kind oli shutter, therefore, t'or instantaneous wrnfk without necessitating' the nipping of the lens or using a slide is the general object ot;- the present improvement, and it is aecomplished bythe employment ol. an auxiliary shutter operated upon bythe main shutter, so that when the latter is moved to set position the lens will be covered during the passage ot' the exposing-opening in trout et it'.

ln the present embodiment olf my invention l have shown 'the manner ot' applying it to a pivoted oscillating shutter, which, perhaps, is best adapted to cameras of small size, such as herein shown; but l de not wish to be nnderstot'id as confining myinxlcntion to this arrangement.

'lhe present shutter is preferably constructed olf somethin opaque material-such as sheet metal-in the l'orm ot a segment pivoted at its smaller end upon a suitable pivotpin 7 and provided near its periphery with an exposirtg-aperture 8, which latter is adapted when the shutter is moved by a suitable motorto cross the axis of; the lens (preferably in the slit between the portions ot the lenshtplding block) and permit the `pz'tssage ot` light to the sensitized film or plate, the motion being limited by suitable stops, termed in the present instance by lflange..l il t), turned up at the edges, as shown, to ct'loperate at the extremes ot movement with the sides el the lens-binding block, rlhe periphcryot the shutter is provided with a beveled projection lo, with which eo-operates a spring-latch ll, (yn'eterably cmnposed. oli' a single piece ot spring metal secured to the lens-holder by screws l2 l) which latch engages said projection when the shutter is in set position and the imiter-Aspirin g wtin'nnl. up ready to make an exposure. A second notch il i3 provided and so arranged relative to the latch and lensopening that the latch will enter it when the openingI S coincides with the lens-opening, thus providing lor making a time exposure when desired, as will be farther on described. Upon the main shutter (i is an auxiliary shutter lit, having a boss l, pivoted upon. the stud 7 and permitted a lree movement over the main shutter, said shutter l-t being held `normally against the let't-lntnd Y[langey 5l by a spring ltj, encircling the boss l5 and having its ends secured to thingcs on the two sltutters, preferably by being inserted. through perlforations therein. This auxiliary shutter is su l'ticiently wide to cover the exptiising-ap erture, and in the present .instance is ot' :L

Ylength equal to that of the main shutter,

though this is not essential, the object being to cover the aperture S and unlateh the auxiliary shutter at'ter the VFormer has passed the lensopening, which l accen'iplish in. this in* stance by providing the auxiliary at its outer edge with a ln'ojection i7, also adapted to be engaged at certain times by the latch l l and held. over the lens-opening while the main shutter is being moved back to the lirst position a'iter makingI an exposure.

In Fig. ti is shown the position the shutter will occupy at't'er an exposnrehas been made, the solid portion oli the main. and auxiliary shutters covering the lens-opening. New, when the shutter is moved back to tirst positionv by suitable mechanism. acting against. the tension et' the motor-syn'ing, (the. construetioii and operation oli' one t'orm ol both being' presently described) the latch l l, engaging' the projcctit'in. AlT on the auxiliary shutter, will retain the latter in position. e., covering the lens-omining-while the main shutter is being moved back and until the exijmsing-apertu re has passed beyond the ienss opening, thus preventing light passing through and strikingthe lilm or plate. 'lhis n|ovcn1 .\nt also puts the spring lt' under tension. As soon as the position int'lieatml in ltig. 7 is reached the beveled portion ol' the projection l() strikes the lateh and, being a tritle higher than the rojection i7, raises the latter until the auxiliary sluit-tm' is released, when the spring lti immediately returns it to .first or normal. position against.- flange El, and the latch drops behind projection ld, holding the main shutter in the position in Fig. in with its imiter-spring under tension.

New, in order to make an exposure, the latch is raised by anysuit'able device and the shutter is moved across to the position in Fig'. t3 by its motorsspring, causing the aperture 8 to pass across the a. 's ol.' the lens, ad mitting the rays ot light passing therethrough to the lilm or plate.

A convenient and perhaps the simplest term et motor mechanism For operating the shutter is shown in detail. in. lfigs. 5 and lt), though any other could be employed, it' delOO sired, or this mechanism may be employed on other shutters not embodying all of my improvements.

The under side of the main shutter near one end is provided with an annular casing 21 around the pivotal aperture 22, in which is located a volute spring 23, one end ot which is fastened to a pin 24, slightly longer than the top ot said boss, its lower reduced port-ion entering and litting the perforation 2G, while its end is provided with a threaded recess 29, into which a small screw 30 is screwed, the head of the latter resting against the bottom ot' the support E and operating` to hold the stud in position securely. It will be seen that by loosening screw 30 and rotating stud 7 to the right or left the tension of spring 23 can be increased or diminished, as desired, and the spring secured by tightening said screw.

The shutter should be returned to first or set position and its propelling-spring wound up trom the exterior in a camera of this kind, and as a means for accomplishing this and at the same time forming a compact and simple arrangement of parts l provide beneath the shutter a disk 32, having a central perforation 33, adapted to tit over the boss 27 on the support, an d an annular depending exteriorlygrooved flange 3e, resting upon the base, as shown, and to a pin on the inside of this disk is connected one end of a volute spring 35, the other end being' connected to a pin on the outer side of the boss 27 on the base. A segmental slot 36 is provided in the disk, in which the lower end ot pin 2i on easing 2i projects when the parts are secured together, and a cord 37 is attached to the annular Flange, adapted to be wound one or'more turns around it when rotated by the spring, the outer tree end of the cord extending to the outside ot the casing through a suitable perforation and provided with a knot er projection. The spring 35 operates to turn disk 32 to the right and wind up the cord in the groove when the tension of the latter is released, and the length on. the slot and cord is such that the pin 2t will move freely in the former when theshutter is released without striking the end of the slot.

In Fig. 5 the top et the supporting-plate F. is shown, while the other parts are reversedthat is, they are removed from the plate and turned over to better show their construction.

Any suitable device can be employed for operating the latch il 3 but l prefer to use a pin 3S, extending through a thimble 40 in the casing and having a pointed or beveled end,

as shown, arranged to strike the under side of the latch end and raise the latter, thereby releasing the shutter when said pin is pushed inward, the spring-latch itself causing its outward movement, which is limited by a collar or pin 39, arranged to strike the inside et the thimble, or the side of the casing it the thimble is not employed. As the shutter is mounted on the movable frame D, which, as stated, is capable of being adjusted in the camera while the latch-operating pin is stationary, I provide the latch with a laterallyextending end 41, so that the pin 2:30 will. en-

` gage it properly when the frame is adjusted slightly in either direction.

The operation of the parts will be readily understood. The operator, having wound a supply of film forward over the supportingplate O7, (the shutter being in the position shown in Fig. 6, where it was lett after the last exposure) draws the cord. 37 outward, rotating the disk 32 against the tension of its spring and causing the end ot' the slot 36 to engage the pin 24 and carry the shutter around to the position in Fig. 8, thus winding up its spring 23 until the latch engages the proj eetion l0, when it will be held, the operation of the auxiliary shutter taking place as before described. Upon the release of the cord-the spring 35 returns disk 32 to irst position, winding up the cord, but, by reason of the segmental slot, leaving the shutter in set position. The camera is new pointed at the object to be photographed and the pin 39 moved in, causing the latch to release th'e shutter and its spring to vibrate it, thereby moving the exposing-aperture past the lenses and admitting light to the4 iilm, the latch immediately returning the piu 39 to normal position. The exposed lilm can nowbe wound forward, the shutter reset, and further exposu res madev as required. In order that time exposures Vmay be made, it desired, I provide the notch 'i3 in the edge of the main shutter, with which the latch co.-operates when the aperture G coincides with the lens-axis, said notch not being et sut'licient depth to catch and hold the shutter when it is moved rapidly tor instantaneous work, but sutlieient to hold it when the shutter is stopped at this point. The shutter is set to this position by moving it clear across to the position in Fig. S, and then, insteadof releasing the setting cord, the operator presses the latch-releasing button and gradually lets the shutter rotate until the latch catches in the notch i3. The exposure is made by means et' a small plug adapted to lit in the perforation b in the end of the camera, said plug being removed and replaced by the operator, making the exposure as long or short as desired. To return the shutter to normal position, it is necessary to press the pin 39, causing the release of the latch, or by pulling the cord outward again set the shutter with the lens-opening closed and ready for instantaneous exposure.

rl'he improved shutter herein shown, while IOO IIO

it is particularly adapted to cameras ol` this class, can ot course be applied to any form, the slight modification in construetioii that might be necessary readily occurring to one skilled in the art, and, instead. ol' operating' between the lenses, as in the present instance, the aperture S could be made larger and the shutter located in l'rontor behind them,as desired.

In lieu of the roller-holder employed Yin this camera a plate-holder oit any suitableJ construction could be applied, it desired.

l claim as my inventionl. In a camera, the combination, with. the tubular easing,` having the fixed front and the small. aperture therein, of the :frame carrying the lens and shutter adapted to be inserted from the rear, securing' devices for fastening the 'iframe to the casing' operated only from the interior of the casing, and a holder .i'or sensitized material fitting the casing and Yl'orinw ing the rear end et the Camera, substantially as described.

2. ln a camera, the combination, with the tubular casing having the small aperture in the end, ot the frame carrying the lens titl ing inside the casing', having' the slotted sides, and the screws `for securing it to the casing, substantiall y as described.

3. In a camera, the combination, with the casing',oi' the ti' rame carrying' thclens and shutter capable of adjustment therein, a latch for the shutter having a lateraliy-extended end, and a releasing-pin for operating the latch supported in the casing', substantially as described.

Vi. In a photographie shutter, the combination, with a lens-opening' and a perforated movable shutter, of au auxiliary shutter and a latch foi-holding it in linewith the lens-openin g', substantially as described.

5. ln a photographic shutter, the combination, with a lenssopening and a perforated movable shutter, of an auxiliary shutter adapted to be moved inline with the lens opening', a latch tor holding' said auxiliary shutter, and a projection operated by the mai u shutter adapted to engage the latch and release the auxiliary shutter, substantially as described.

d. ln a photographic shutter, the combinaw tion,with a lens-open ing and a perforated movable exposing-shutter, ol3 an auxiliary opaque shutter, a spring tor moving it, and a latch l'or lnirlding it in line with the lens-opening', substantially as described.

7. ln a photographic shutter, the combination, with a lens-opening and a perforated movable exposing-shutter, of an auxiliary opaque shutter and connections between it and the main shutter whereby it is moved in line with the leus-opening` when the main shutter is moved in one direction, substatitial ly as described.

S, ln. a photogrzrphie shutter, the combination, with a lens-opening and a perforated movable exposing-shutter, oli' an auxiliary shutter and connections lnitwemi it and. the main shutter for 'moving' it in line with the lens-opening by the movement oli' `the latter, a spring Vfor moving' the' auxiliary shutter independently, and a latch operated. by the exposing-shutter releasing' the auxiliary, sub stantially as described.

9. ln a j illotographie shutter, the combination,with a l enso1'n\,ning and a ierl'orz'ttml exposing-sluitter, of an auxiliary shutter, a spring' connecting the two shutters, and connections between them lor moving the auxiliary over the lens-openingby the movement oli' the main exposingshutter,and a latch t`or holding the auxiliary adapted to be released l y the main shutter, substantially as described.

l0. In a photographic shutter, the combi nation, with the perforated exposi11g-shutter, ot' an auxiliary shutter arranged to cover the exposing-aperture in the main shutter while passing` the lens-(mening moving' in one direction, a catch for ln'ilding' the auxiliary in this position, and devices for releasing' the catch after the exposing-aperture has passet'l the lens, substantially as described.

ll. ln a photographirif shutter, the combination, with the pcrtorattnl shutter having," a stop thereon, ol? an auxiliary shuttm'ainl connections between them Yli'or causing their si* multaneons movement when opt'a'atfnl in one direction and a latch engaging the stop on the main and the auxiliary shutters, substantially as described.

li?. In a photogrtuihic shutter, the combination, with the perforated exposing-sllutter having a stop thereon, an auxiliary shutter, and connections between them 'for causing their simultaneous operationwhen operated in one direction, ot a latch for eng'zigine' the stop on the exposing and the :'nixiljiary shutter, said stop on the exposing-shutter operatingr to release the auxiliary shutter before beine' itself engaged by the latch, substantially as described.

The combination, with the perforatet'l. exposing main shutterhaving a stop thereon, au auxiliary shutter, andv con ncctions lgietiween them l'or causingr their sinuiltancous moveA ment when operated in one'direetirnno t' a ealrh .tor engaging the stop on the exposingY andthe auxiliary shutter, said stop on the exposing'- shutter operating to release the auxiliary sh u tter before being' itselti' engaged by the latch, and a manualiy-operated port ion eo-o] erat ing.: with the latch to cause the release ot' the exposing-shutter, substantially as desorilmd.

li. In a pliotog'raphic sl1uttrn',the combination, with the base or support, ol' the exposing-shutterhaving' the [lance on one side, the auxiliary shutter operated by the main shutter,`and the spring tor holding' it against` the said 'llange, subst-antially as desrnibed.

l5. ln a photographic shutter, the combi nation, with the base or support, ol. the exposiiig-shutterhavil1gthelaterally-projecting l'lange adapted to engage the side ot. the support and constitute a stop to limit the move- IOO IIO

ment in one direction, substantially as described.

16. In a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base or support, of an exposingshutter having the flangeson opposite sides adapted to engage the support and constituting stops for limiting the movement in opposite directions, substantially as described.

17. rlhe combination, with the base or support constructed of a single piece of material having two coincident apertures for the lenses and a slit between them, of a pivoted shutter operating in the slit and a latch for operating on the shutter, substantially as described.

18. ln a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base or support constructed ot a single piece of material having two coincident apertures for the lenses and a slit between them, of a pivoted oscillating shutter operating in the slit and a latch for operating on the shutter, substantially as described.

19. In a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base or support having the boss, of the exposingshutter, the stud passing through it, the spring connected to the shutter and the stud, and the slotted disk pivoted on the boss arranged to connect with and move the shutter when rotated in one direction, substantially as described.

20. ln a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base or support, t-he exposingshutter, and a spring for operating it in one direction, of a pivoted plate arranged concentric with the shutter-pi\fot, a slot-an d-pin-eonnection between the said plate and shutter, a spring for rotating the plate, and the Iiexible cord connected to the plate, substantially as described.

2l.. As a means for operating a pivoted oscillating photographic shutter to set it, the combinationof a plate pivoted on the pivotal center of the shutter, a spring for oscillating said plate in one direction, and a flexible cord connected to the plate and moving the shutter, substantially as described.

22. In a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base or support and a latch, of the pivoted shutter having a pin and a flange or casing, a spring connected to the shutter inside the casing, a plate having a slot in which the pin on the shutter operates, a spring connected to the plate, and a flexible cord also connected to the plate for operating it against its spring, substantially as described.v

23. In a photographic shutter, the combination, with the base having the boss and the stud thereon, ot the shutter pivoted on the stud having a ilange or casing and projecting pin, the spring connected to the shutter and stud inside the casing, the plate pivoted on the boss having the segmental slot, the spring connected to the plate and boss, and the flexible cord connected to said plate, substantially as described.

21. The combination, with the lens-opening and a reciprocating shutter provided with an exposing-aperture, of a reciprocating auxiliary shutter arranged to co-operate with the lens-opening when the main shutter is moved in vone direction and to remain out of position when moved in the other, substantially as described.

25. lu combination with the camera-box, the lens, an d a reciprocating shutter provided with an exposing-aperture, a reciprocating auxiliary shutter arranged to co-operate with the lens and devices connected to the main and auxiliary shutters for moving both ot them in one direction, with the auxiliary shutter covering the exposing=aperture, substantially as described.

2G. In combination with a camera-box, a lens, and a reciprocating exposing-shutter, an auxiliary shutter co-operating with the lens to cover the exposing-apertnre as the main shutter is operated in one direction, said auxiliary shutter being connected to the devices 'for operating the main shutter and operated thereby to insure the exclusion of light from within the camera-box during the movement of the main shutter in one direction, substantially as described.

27. ln combination with the camera-box, the lens, and a reciprocating shutter provided with an exposing-aperture, an auxiliary shutter held removed from the lens-opening in one position, devices for operating the main shutter connected to the auxiliary shutter to automatically move the latter in line with the lens-opening during the passage of the aperture in the main shutter, and means for retracting the auxiliary shutter after the passage of the exposing-aperture in the main shutter, substantially as described.

GEO. EASTMAN. Witnesses:

FRED F. CHURCH, Z. L. DAvis.

IOO 

